MS's Online Gaming Service [May 09, 2006, 7:04 pm ET] – Share – Viewing Comments
Microsoft Announces Online Gaming Service announces plans for a gaming
service that will offer cross-platform support for Windows Vista, Xbox Live, as
well as cell phones:
LOS ANGELES - Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates on Tuesday announced a new cross-platform gaming service that integrates games played on cell phones, Xbox 360 consoles and the upcoming Windows Vista operating system.
The "Live Anywhere" service will be available as part of Windows Vista, Microsoft's next-generation PC operating system. The consumer version is scheduled for release early next year.
"It means that you have one online community," Bill Gates said in a news conference. "This platform can really unleash developers to do amazing new things."
The system would extend the company's existing Xbox Live service for the Xbox 360 console into millions of Internet-enabled PCs and cellular phones. No pricing information on the new service was announced.
"The vision here is each platform plays its own role. We really think we're in a unique position," Gates said. "Microsoft is probably the only company that can pull this off."
In a demonstration, an Xbox 360 gamer using Live Anywhere was able to send an invitation to a friend on a PC. After the PC user agreed, the two connected for a cross-platform online gun battle.
In another example, a race car's stats were modified on a cellular phone, its appearance was edited in a paint program on the PC and then it was raced on a track on the Xbox 360.
Just like XBOX Live, you can be sure that users will have to pay to play online. Messaging will most likely be free like on XBOX Live. If developers build a game around XBOX Live for multiplayer, users will pay or they won't play. It's that simple.
100% incorrect.
For one, users are used to things being free on PCs. They aren't on consoles. So no one will bother buying the pay games on the PC.
For another, PC gamers have much more control over their systems. Microsoft can create a pay service if they like (they won't), PC gamers will find ways around it. They always have. Won and Steam haven't fully prevented people from playing the Half Life games in the way they see best.
-------------
Doomriders: the first new band worth a signature - http://www.deathwishinc.com/
100% incorrect.
For one, users are used to things being free on PCs. They aren't on consoles. So no one will bother buying the pay games on the PC.
For another, PC gamers have much more control over their systems. Microsoft can create a pay service if they like (they won't), PC gamers will find ways around it. They always have. Won and Steam haven't fully prevented people from playing the Half Life games in the way they see best.
-------------
Doomriders: the first new band worth a signature - http://www.deathwishinc.com/
-------------
Music for the discerning:
http://www.deathwishinc.com
http://www.hydrahead.com
http://www.painkillerrecords.com
Music for the discerning:
http://www.deathwishinc.com
http://www.hydrahead.com
http://www.painkillerrecords.com
Date
Subject
Author
Copyright © 1996-2025 Stephen Heaslip. All rights reserved.
All trademarks are properties of their respective owners.
Privacy Policy. Manage Cookie Settings.
News CGI copyright © 1999-2025 James "furn" Furness & Blue's News. All rights reserved.
Chatbear v1.5.0/blue++: Page generated 19 July 2025, 21:17.